keeler



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

E W. KEELER; I

BED BOTTOM. v No. 266,999. Patented Nov. '7, 1882.

WITNESSES; INVENTOR.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. E. W. KEELER.

BED BOTTOM.

N0.Z66,999. Patented N0v.7, 1882.

INVENTOR.

ATTO NEYS.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EZRA w. KEELER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

BED-BOTTOM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 266,999, dated November'7, 1882.

' Application filed July 18,1882. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, EZRA W. KEELER, a citizenof the United States, residing in the city of New York, county and Stateof New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Bed-Bottoms,of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to that class of bed- 'bottoms provided withsprings capable of adjustment and of being varied in width and itconsists, first, in combininga series of slats by means of flexiblescrews that serve to vary the width of the bed, and at the same timeadmit of their being folded or rolled up for packing away orforshipment; secondly,in combin ing with and supporting above abase-frame formed of a series of slats an adjustable skeleton frame;thirdly, the combination of the base-frame and the adjustable skeletonframe, sustained and supported in their relations to each other by meansof adjustable coiled springs, all arranged to operate together in such amanner as to permit of the proper adjustment for compensating forunequal pressure at different parts thereof for the greater ease andcomfort of the occupant, and at the same time retain their perpendiculartendency.

That I may more clearly explain the details of my said improvements, Iwill first refer to the drawings, in which- Figure 1 represents a topview of my bedbottom contracted to a narrow width. Fig. 2 represents aview of the base part or series of slats united by two flexible bolts.Figs. 3 and 4 represent the flexible bolt in two parts, made ofclosely-coiled wire, one to intersect the other as a threaded boltwithin a nut. Fig. 5 represents one of the coiled supportingsprings withcap or bracket-piece connected at its top, and end section of slatattached toits lower end. Fig.0 represents the under surface of the capor bracket with coiled supporting-spring attached; Fig. 7, amodification of Fig. 1, wit-h rods arranged at right angles above andacross the lower slats instead of diagonal; Fig. 8, means for nuts, &c.

A A A A represent slats forming the baseframe, and B B flexibleconnections for contractin g the outer dimensions of the slats.

C is a hollow tube, formed of coiled wire, provided with a flange, J, bywhich the tube or bolt is held in position, and C is another, but ofsmaller diameter, suitable to intersect the former closely as a screwand nut, for which they are intended to serve, and at the same timeretain their usual flexibility.

D is a hand or thumb wheel. rigidly secured to the male screw, by whichthelatter is to be operated and adjusted within its counterpart (J. Itis obvious, however, that the thumbwheel or other suitable contrivancefor operating the threaded device may be applied to the female or thelarger tube. The result would be the same either way. The male screw 0is provided with a reduced end, consisting of a wire of suitable sizeinserted and properly secured within one end,forming a journal adaptedto be fitted within one of the outer slats A A. I would remark, however,in this connection, that the screw itself may extend through the slatand be secured by suitable flanges, either adjustable thereon or fixed,thereby forming a shoulder or shoulders to act against one or both sidesof the outer slat, and so make it unnecessary to insert the spindle intothe end of the flexible bolt, as shown.

E E E E are smaller wires, in this instance arranged diagonally acrossthe base in a manner forming diamond-shaped openings between them, asshown in Fig. 1, and F F F F are loops formed at the ends of those whichare connected to the side slats, G G, where they are properly pivoted bypins or other connections for that purpose, as shown.

H H are connections for holding the slats or side bars, G G, in acontracted or desired position.

The ends of the slats or wires represented at the end marked E E E E maybe united by hinging together or by a covering of any suitable material.

When I employ wire for the upper surface ofmy bed-bottom, I prefer tocrimp each one at every point where they cross each other, for thepurpose of allowing the greatest freedom for action, which insures easeand less liability to creak.

The method of adjusting my improved bedbottom is as follows: hen thebase part, consisting of the series of slats, is to be adapted to thewidth of any particular sized bedstead or frame, they are moved in thedesired direction by turning the screw or screws in the proper directionfor the purpose of either expanding or contracting, as the circumstancesof the case may require; and the'upper part is expanded or contractedand held in a fixed position by suitable fastenings, as set forth, ortheir equivalent. 1 would remark, however, that a single flexible boltwill serve to adjust, expand, and contract the width of the bed-bottomby forming the bolt with its thread or spiral half right hand and theother half1eftas, forinstance, aright-and-left screw. The thumbprojection or flange to be secured thereon should in this case belocated at about the center of said bolt; and I sometimes secure to theslats A A, in conjunction with the openings therein through which thebolt or bolts are operated, strips of metalas sheet-iron, &c.for thepurpose of intersecting the spaces between the coils, thereby serving asa nut, as shown in Fig. 8, which, when acted upon by the screw, causesthe slat to move in the direction carried by it.

The modification of Fig. 1 shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings is adapted toexpand and contract telescopically; or, in other words, the slat orwires are connected so as to support each other, as shown, or by anyequivalent method, and at the same time admit of being moved together.

I have referred more particularly to spiral or helical springs for theelastic supports between base and top; but I do not intend to confinemyself to the particular form specified in the foregoing, but propose toemploy other forms in combination with said base and top surface, asfrom time to time may seem best. I also intend to cover the saidbed-bottom with a removable sack, which not only tends to keep the partsclean and protected from dust, vermin, 850., but which may be readilyremoved and cleansed at the option of the housekeeper without thenecessity of withdrawing nails or other fastenings. The sack is alsoadvantageous as a wrapper for inelosing the bed when rolled up forpacking away or shipments, lessening the liability to lose partsthereof.

Having thus set forth my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States of America, is-

1. In abed-bottom, the combination, with a series of slats, of aflexible boltor bolts for uniting the parts'together and permit of beingfolded or rolledtogether, substantially as set forth. I

2. In a bed-bottom, the combination, with a series of slats, of one ormore flexible bolts adapted for adjustment, whereby the width of thebottom maybe varied, substantially in the manner and for the purpose setforth.

3. In a bed-bottom, the combination, with a series of slats adapted toform a base and an upper adjustable surface, substantially such asdescribed, of spiral support-in g-sprin gs with connecting-caps foradjustment, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. A bed-bottom with a base consisting of a series of slats flexibly andadjustablyconnected by one or more bolts, substantially as described, anupper adj ustahle surface composed of crimped cross-wires supported andheld in position by a series of coiled springs, substantially as setforth.

5. A bed-bottom provided with a series of slats connected by one or moreflexible bolts, adapted to be expanded or contracted by said bolt orbolts, and the intersecting nuts, or strips of metal, attached to saidslats, substantially as described.

6. A bed-bottom consisting of an adjustable base composed of a series ofslats and an upper surface supported by elastic springs, and adapted toexpand and contract in eonjunc tion with the base, substantially as andfor the purpose set forth.

EZRA W. KEELER.

\Vitnesses:

J OHN DANE, J r., JOSEPH M. CRANE.

